Classes & Workshops

Join us for Open Houses on June 16 and September 8

Independence Squares invites everyone to two open houses on Tuesdays June 16 and September 8. Caller Betsy Gotta will teach you some basic figures and have you dancing in a flash ⚡

Independence Squares is Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ square dance club. Our callers play music ranging from Johnny Cash to Beyonce. You may wear what you like and change partners for each tip (a 15-minute dance). We welcome everyone to join us for active, social and fun dancing.

Both open houses are on Tuesdays from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. We dance at 2111 Sansom St, Philadelphia, the back entrance to the Lutheran Church. Admission is $5.00. Discount parking is available next door at 2107 Sansom St. Use the QR Code at the admission table to get the best price for parking. There will be snacks! 🍪

If you enjoy the open houses, we encourage you to join us for classes on Tuesday evenings starting on September 22. Classes are on Tuesdays from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. We dance at 2111 Sansom St, Philadelphia, the back entrance to the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion. Admission is $5.00.

Sign up here to join the mailing list for announcements about our fall 2026 classes.

Time and Location

Starting September 22, all Tuesday night classes and workshops run from 7:00 to 9:30 PM. They are held at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion. We use the back entrance at 2111 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA. The garage next door gives us a discount. Be sure to use the QR code at the check-in desk for the parking discount.

Class fees and Prepayment option

Thanks to generosity of our members and fly-in participants, we have lower simplified fees this year.

  • Members and new Mainstream class members pay $5.00 per class
  • Non-members pay $7.00 per class

You can pay as you go at each class. Advance payment options will be announced at the dance. You can pay in person with a check or cash, or pay online at the dance using our PayPal QR Code .

Dues

Dues are $45 for the period from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. Please support Independence Squares by paying your membership dues regardless of whether you are taking a class and/or workshop. Dancers attending a Mainstream class for the first time do not owe dues.

Your dues not only help to support our club, but also provide you with the following benefits:

  • Reduced admission to our Tuesday night classes/workshops
  • $5 admission to our Saturday June 13 2026 Member Appreciation Pride Dance
  • Accident medical insurance through the United Square Dancers of America (USDA)
  • Right to vote at our Annual Meeting on June 2 2026

Members who need assistance paying dues are invited to speak confidentially with our treasurer.

You can pay your membership dues in person with either cash or a check, or online with a credit card or PayPal by using our website’s link.

Bad Weather Cancellation Policy

If Philadelphia schools have an early dismissal, are closed, or cancel afternoon or evening activities due to bad weather, then Tuesday night classes and workshops are cancelled. In addition, if Independence Squares cancels classes or other events when Philadelphia schools remain open or are not in session, an email will go out to the club’s distribution list, and the club’s webpage will be updated by 5:00pm.

Some resources for finding out if schools are closed: